Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake

Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake is the ultimate EASY reese’s cake! Start with a yellow cake mix and add peanut butter to make an easy peanut butter cake. Poke holes all over the cake and drizzle with chocolate ganache. Top the cake with peanut butter chocolate frosting and chopped reese’s cups.

I think I am in need of a glass of milk before I even describe what’s all in this recipe!

Ready?

Peanut butter cake

chocolate ganache drizzled over the cake

peanut butter cream cheese frosting mixed with chocolate frosting

all topped with chopped reese’s cups

This is what chocolate peanut butter dreams are made of!

I’m excited to be able to celebrate Julianne from Beyond Frosting and her baby boy coming in May! It’s certainly a special DELLivery, as Julianne’s last name is Dell! I thought this reese’s poke cake would be the perfect dessert to share for Julianne’s virtual baby shower! Julianne is a cake fanatic, just like me, so there is no better recipe to share as we celebrate her!

How to Turn Yellow Cake Mix into Peanut Butter Cake

The base of the recipe begins with a box of yellow cake mix. Did you know you can turn yellow cake into peanut butter cake? Simply add half a cup of creamy peanut butter to the cake batter when mixing and voila, peanut butter poke cake from a cake mix.

What is a Poke Cake?

A poke cake is really easy to make. It starts with a baked cake, you could use a box cake mix, homemade cake mix, or a doctored up cake mix.

Once the cake is cool, use a fork or straw to poke holes all over the cake.

Next you add the filling mixture. This could be jello powder mixed with water, instant pudding, fruit puree, or in this case chocolate ganache. Pour or spread the filling over the cake and let it seep into the holes!

Then you’ll frost the top of the cake – with whipped cream, cream cheese whipped cream, buttercream, etc, there are so many options.

How to Make Reese’s Poke Cake

Combine all the cake ingredients in a bowl and mix using an electric mixer. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Before the cake cools, poke holes all over the cake.

Heat the heavy cream just before boiling. Pour the heavy cream over the chocolate chips, allow it to sit for 1-2 minutes. Stir the mixture together until combined. Pour the ganache all over the cake.

In separate mixing bowls, make each frosting.

Spread the peanut butter frosting on top of the chocolate ganache. Then add dollops of chocolate frosting on top of the peanut butter frosting, swirling them together. Top the cake with chopped peanut butter cup pieces.

What to use to Poke Holes for a Poke Cake

I recommend using a wooden spoon handle or a straw to poke holes all over the cake.

Can I Make Poke Cake Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can make the cake portion of the recipe 2 days in advance, wrap it well and store in the fridge (without frosting). OR You can make the cake portion and frost the cake 1 day in advance, again, covering it tightly and storing on the counter for up to 48 hours.

Should I refrigerate this Peanut Butter Poke Cake?

This poke cake doesn’t have to be refrigerated. If you are serving it within 48 hours, I would recommend keeping it on the counter. Longer than that, I would store in the fridge.

Tips for Making a Poke Cake

Be sure to poke holes all over the cake! You can also poke holes near the edges of the cake. The more holes you poke, the more goodness you’ll have seeping into the cake!

After you pour the filling over the cake (chocolate ganache in this case) use a spatula to spread it evenly over the cake, making sure it seeps into the holes.

To create nice, clean cake slices wipe the knife clean between each cut.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake

Yield: 9x13 inch cake

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Additional Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour50 minutes

Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake is the ultimate EASY reese’s cake! Start with a yellow cake mix and add peanut butter to make an easy peanut butter cake. Poke holes all over the cake and drizzle with chocolate ganache. Top the cake with peanut butter chocolate frosting and chopped reese’s cups.

Pour the batter into the cake pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.

Before the cake cools, use a straw or wooden skewer to poke holes all over the cake.

Chocolate Ganache

Place chocolate chips in a medium sized heat-proof bowl. In a small pot over low heat, heat the heavy whipping cream until just before boiling. Pour the cream over the chocolate chips. Allow the mixture to stand for 1-2 minutes. Use a spatula to stir the mixture until smooth. Pour the ganache evenly over the cake, allowing the ganache to seep into the holes in the cake.

Frosting

In a small mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and milk / heavy cream until smooth, 1-2 minutes.

In a separate small mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar until smooth, 1-2 minutes.

Spread the peanut butter frosting on top of the chocolate ganache. Then add dollops of chocolate frosting on top of the peanut butter frosting, swirling them together. Top the cake with chopped peanut butter cup pieces.

Notes

You can substitute the 4 oz of cream cheese in the peanut butter cream cheese frosting for 1/2 cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter if you'd prefer a buttercream frosting.

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This poke cake is absolutely scrumptious! I am DYING for a slice right now… Pinning! :)

Thanks for pinning Sam!

I made this a few days ago. Cake & ganache turned out fabulous. Not much of a fan of the cream cheese frosting here, so I am making it AGAIN with just pwd sugar PB/choc frosting swirled. If it lasts that long, I shall attempt to take this one to work…..we shall see!! The creamer addition worried me before I made it. Not any more. Fabulous idea! Such a moist & delicious cake!

Hi Caren! I’m glad you gave it a try, even though you were a little hesitant!

Made this to enter in a semi-serious competition (the “Spillsbury Bake-Off”…prizes awarded were decorated wooden spoons) between hubbies who were invited to a couples’ dinner at my wife’s ladies Bible study. I won TWO spoons for this cake: Best Presentation/Cakes & Muffins, and Best of Show. Insanely rich and decadent. You really only need a small piece to get a big blast of peanut butter and chocolate. My wife already made me promise to make this cake again for her birthday…next March. Good job, Beth.

So glad you loved it!

Made this cake for my father in law’s birthday when he requested a cake that is “peanut buttery” and everyone loved it! It’s very delicious and although there are several steps it’s easy to make and comes out wonderful looking and tasting. Nothing needs to be changed! Thanks for the tasty recipe!

Hi Andreas! You could use heavy whipping cream or milk. :)

I must have done something wrong. I went to make the chocolate frosting but it is just a chocolatey powder. I only used 1 cup of powdered sugar. Hoping you see this and can help me figure out what I did wrong? Otherwise it’s been a flawless recipe!

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Hi, I’m Beth!

If you have a sweet tooth, you’re in the right place! You’ll find indulgent desserts, quick and easy desserts to feed a crowd, plus healthier desserts to satisfy any craving! Married to my best friend, Ryan. Seeking Jesus each day. Cake fanatic. (Read More)

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